Brooks Camp Camping Permits

Permit · Alaska ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Katmai National Park (National Park) · Open Access

55 ft
Elevation
Brown bears fishing for salmon at Brooks Falls.
Photo: NPS Photo · Recreation.gov

Overview:

Katmai National Monument was established in 1918 to protect the volcanically devastated region surrounding Mount Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Today, Katmai National Park and Preserve remains an active volcanic landscape, but it also protects 9,000 years of human history as well as important habitat for salmon and the thousands of brown bears that feed on them.

Reservations for both Brooks Camp and Fures Cabin become available for reservations each year on January 5.

Brooks Camp Campground:
With its wildlife viewing opportunities, access to Naknek Lake and stunning views of nearby mountains, the Brooks Camp Campground is considered by many to be one of the top campgrounds in North America.

Camping at Brooks Camp is only permitted within the designated campground. Campers arriving without a reservation, especially in July when the campground is usually full, must be prepared to backcountry camp outside of the Brooks Camp Developed Area (see Backcountry/Wilderness Camping below).

Backcountry/Wilderness Camping:
More than 4 million acres of Katmai are open to backcountry/wilderness camping. Backcountry camping is not permitted within the Brooks Camp Developed Area (the area within 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of Brooks Falls) year-round or within the core Hallo Bay meadows from April 1 through October 31. No permits are required for backcountry camping.

Fure's Cabin:
Fure's Cabin, a beautifully constructed one-room house, is a public use cabin. Now a refuge for kayakers, canoers and hikers, the cabin was once the home of trapper, miner and famed Naknek local Roy Fure. The cabin is located on the north side of the Bay of Islands in Naknek Lake. There is anchorage and limited beach access. Primary heat at the cabin is wood. This cabin is not a substitute for the Brooks Camp Campground. Fure's Cabin is over 20 miles by water from Brooks Camp and no public transportation is available. GPS: 58 degrees 40'10.19"N, 155 degrees 25'51.02"W

Katmai email: http://www.nps.gov/katm/contacts.htm

Getting there

Katmai is 290 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. There are daily commercial flights from Anchorage to King Salmon. Commercial air taxis fly daily, weather permitting, from King Salmon, Anchorage and Homer to Brooks Camp. Many individual lodges have their own transportation.

58.55972, -155.77806 · 58°33'35.0"N 155°46'41.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 62°F in Jul, down to 26°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F263132435259626154433327
Low °F101314263340464539281712
Precip in1.82.11.01.41.52.53.74.45.12.93.62.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 24.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Ways in

Showing 2 of 2.

  • Brooks Camp — Campground
  • Fures Cabin — Cabin

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Brooks Camp Camping Permits

Can you reserve a site at Brooks Camp Camping Permits?
Yes, Brooks Camp Camping Permits is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Camping near Brooks Camp Camping Permits

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.